Northern Illinois Upsets No. 5 Notre Dame

In a shocking upset, Northern Illinois defeated No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14, marking their first-ever win against a top-10 team. Notre Dame, who recently triumphed over Texas A&M, struggled offensively and defensively, ultimately losing to a late 35-yard field goal by Kanon Woodill with 31 seconds remaining. The game was defined by critical plays, including a failed deep pass by Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard and a blocked 62-yard field goal attempt as time expired. Northern Illinois capitalized on Notre Dame’s errors, including two interceptions, and coach Thomas Hammock expressed immense pride in his team's performance. Notre Dame now faces significant scrutiny and a need to reassess after the unexpected loss. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois celebrates what is considered the biggest win in their program's history.